Political Row Erupts in UP as Samajwadi Party Nominates Industrialist for Rajya Sabha

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has sparked widespread political discussions after deciding to field industrialist Dhanraj Nathwani as one of its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing reporters at the party headquarters in Lucknow, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav defended the nomination, framing it as an effort to bring young leadership with modern economic vision into the Upper House. Yadav stated that the party wants to bridge ties with the business ecosystem, noting that industrialists drive trade, generate employment, and contribute significantly to both the economy and societal welfare.

According to Yadav, sustainable governance and statewide prosperity rely on strengthening industry and trade. He added that the SP has consistently welcomed partnerships with individuals capable of boosting agricultural income, generating employment for youth, and expanding the state’s economic footprint.

The nomination, however, has triggered sharp political scrutiny. As a key constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc—which frequently targets the ruling establishment over ties to major corporate conglomerates—the SP’s move has drawn criticism from rival political outfits. Leaders from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), AIMIM’s state unit, and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) have questioned the party’s ideological consistency, citing Yadav’s past rhetoric accusing the government of favoring select corporate houses.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh has largely maintained a strategic silence regarding Nathwani’s nomination. Instead, the ruling party targeted SP’s other nominee, veteran leader Professor Ram Gopal Yadav—brother of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav—accusing the Samajwadi Party of dynastic politics and mocking its ‘PDA’ (Pichhde, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) plank.

Dhanraj Nathwani serves as a Group President at Reliance Industries. He is the son of corporate executive and independent Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani, who currently represents Jharkhand with NDA support.